Within five years, 75% of retailers plan to identify customers when they walk in the store, according to Boston Retail Partners’ 2014 CRM/Unified Commerce Benchmark Survey. Unified Commerce is the evolution of both multi-channel and omni-channel retailing that provides a seamless experience in the store, on the Web or anywhere customers choose to shop. The

Swisher Sweets continues its limited edition cigarillo line with Swisher Sweets Summer Twist. Don’t miss out on this sweet lemon-mango taste. Now shipping to stores Swisher Sweets Summer Twist comes in a resealable two-count pouch with the “Sealed Fresh” guarantee. Summer Twist will be available in “2 for 99¢”and “Save on 2” options. This edition

GIANTS Snacks Inc. is one of the proud nominees for the 2014 Most Innovative New Product Award. The company attended Chicago’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in May and received the nomination for its newest Sunflower Seed flavor, Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce. GIANTS Snacks Inc. has partnered with Huy Fung Foods to bring you the Original

Keurig Green Mountain Inc. has introduced the first-of-its-kind, commercial-grade Keurig BOLT Carafe Brewing System, which is UL-approved for commercial use and National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified for foodservice environments. The Keurig BOLT offers users the ability to brew a 64-ounce pot of coffee in approximately two minutes, bringing the innovation, speed, efficiency and quality that

AdvancePierre Foods (APF) is introducing the BIG AZ Angus Cheddar Cheeseburger and BIG AZ Chicken Bacon Cheddar Club to its BIG AZ line, one of the top brands in the sandwich market. A Total Unduplicated Reach and Frequency (TURF) analysis of Big AZ target consumers indicated that both a premium Angus version of the BIG

Adds 15 stations across Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. New CITGO Marketer GasMart USA recently completed the conversion of 15 locally-owned gas stations across Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana to the CITGO brand. The Centennial image and fresh service options are now available for fuel and convenience store customers following a Grand Opening June 2-6. “We are

“This innovation not only changed fueling, but the concept of self-serve that we know today,” says NACS spokesperson. Fifty years ago an innovation forever changed fueling—and even retail as a whole— when convenience store operator John Roscoe flipped the switch at a convenience store in Westminster, Colo., to activate the first U.S. remote access self-service

Smyrna 7-Eleven store celebrates half-century in business. When the first 7-Eleven store in New Smyrna Beach (NSB) opened June 1, 1964, bananas were nine cents a pound, ice cream was 69 cents a half-gallon, and the grand-opening specials included a six-pack of bottled beer for 89 cents. Franchisee Michelle Simpson invited NSB residents and tourists

Major retailer to expand to 43 states by adding presence in Maine, Rhode Island and Oregon. Dollar General has announced plans to expand its nationwide presence into three new states within the next year, increasing the company’s presence to 43 states across the country. The major discount retailer will begin construction on stores in Maine

Some 45 new confectionery and snack products across nine categories named Most Innovative New Products by the National Confectioners Association. During the 2014 Sweets & Snacks Expo, held in Chicago, Ill., the National Confectioners Association (NCA) bestowed 45 Most Innovative New Product Award nominations to companies showcasing imaginative ideas, concepts and products in two of

In 2014 Newsweek Green Rankings, The Hershey Co. places 46 in the ranking of 500 U.S. companies. The Hershey Co. has been recognized for its continuing commitment to environmental stewardship by Newsweek in its 2014 Green Rankings. Out of the top U.S. 500 companies named, Hershey placed 46, moving up 210 spots from the last

“We’ve been very fortunate to be recognized by both our customers as well as our industry peers as the best not only locally in our central Pennsylvania marketplace, but also nationally and now internationally,” says Rutter’s CEO. A panel of industry experts, business leaders and trade publishers has chosen Rutter’s Farm Stores as the 2014

The Website’s advanced routing capabilities help travelers better map their trip. An advanced routing tool, a community recognition program and weekly energy-related tips are some of the features of the new www.cenex.com, the energy brand website of CHS Inc., the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative and a global energy, grains and foods business. “The new Cenex

Convenience store is first to offer hospital bracelets for $1 donation to support Children’s Miracle Network. Now through June 30, Corner Store employees are encouraging customers to Put Their Money Where The Miracles Are during the chain’s 20th annual Miracle Balloon campaign. The icons will be available for a $1 or $5 donation, and all-new

GSTV joins the Rock Ventures Family of Companies bolstering metro Detroit’s technology leadership. Rockbridge Growth Equity, LLC, a Detroit, Mich.-based private equity firm, announced that it has signed a purchase agreement to partner with management in acquiring Gas Station TV (GSTV), one of the fastest-growing media networks for reaching on-the-go consumers. Founded in 2006 and

Hunt Brothers Pizza will offer 10% savings when customers order bundles. Hunt Brothers Pizza is offering a new combo with Coca-Cola. Now through Dec. 31, refreshing Coca-Cola beverages will be available for purchase with Hunt Brothers Pizza products at participating locations. “Our program with Coca-Cola allows us to explore the abundant opportunities available with food

While detractors may declare otherwise, science is showing that e-cigs are a safer alternative to traditional tobacco products. By Gregory Conley, Research Fellow, Heartland Institute For years, advocates for smoke-free alternatives, such as electronic cigarettes and other e-vapor products, have known that these products are effective at helping smokers quit or dramatically reduce their cigarette

As the FDA aims to impact e-cigarette sales, industry entrepreneurs are collaborating with the understanding that there is more that unites them than divides them. By Cynthia Cabrera, Executive Director, SFATA For the past several years, vapor industry insiders and outsiders alike have opined on what the deeming regulations will mean for the industry, but

The convenience store and tobacco industries need to respond to the FDA’s deeming regulations. By Lou Maiellano The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) on April 25 released its deeming regulations, asserting regulatory authority over a variety of tobacco products. Of course, most of the attention in the press and

NATO Executive Director Tom Briant provides insights and analysis on the latest tobacco legislative activity and FDA regulatory actions. By John Lofstock, Editor It has been another tough year for the tobacco industry as legislators at the local, state and federal levels have targeted both tax increases and new smoking regulations on all forms of

The battle against the FDA has gone on for many years and it’s not over, especially with e-cigs at the forefront. By Thomas Kiklas, Co-Founder, TVECA Recently, the Tobacco Vapor Electronic Cigarette Association (TVECA) was asked to participate at VapeWorld in Chicago. During a roundtable question and answer period there was great confusion as to

Want to avoid the deep end of the proprietary food pool? A co-branded relationship with a QSR can keep your operation flowing smoothly. By David Bennett, Senior Editor Today, quality foodservice is a key ingredient in profitable convenience store operations. Just how key? Foodservice accounted for 18% of total c-store sales in 2013, which also

While federal officials weigh new standards for the tobacco industry, retailers hope cigar sales don’t go up in smoke. By David Bennett, Senior Editor Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took a big step towards regulating other tobacco products (OTP), including cigars, by proposing to assert deeming regulations under the 2009 Family Smoking

A positive attitude can help c-store employees thrive in the face of any obstacle. By Jim Callahan I recently came across a thought provoking and very astute quotation that captivated my attention, and since I have this great forum provided by Convenience Store Decisions, I thought I would share it because it relates as much

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